442 posts from April 2010

April 29, 2010

Here's an open letter to Crist from Cindy Graves, president of the Florida Federation of Republican Women: :

"The proverb: "Hell Hath no Fury Like a Woman Scorned" (William Congreve, The Mourning Bride, 1697) originates from a tale of injustice and deceit and seems especially appropriate today. With that in mind, most Republican women will look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail in a whole new light.

"The good members of The Florida Federation of Republican Women collectively spent hundreds of thousands of hours rallying voters to elect you in what we hoped would be a successful two-term run as our Republican governor. Since then, Republicans have watched the slow unraveling of the Crist myth occasionally stymied by your affable charm and the heavy-handed tactics of the Greer/Crist PR machine.

"Within two years of your election, even adamant supporters began to develop misgivings about your leadership. Those uncertainties have morphed into outrage mixed with a peculiar sense of gratitude on this day. No doubt, most Republicans will now thank you for your defection as most have felt honor bound by Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment in regard to you. Independent voters are a savvy and a highly principled group. I doubt they will be swayed by your new campaign as the 'people's candidate'.

"The lack of integrity you have shown is astounding and has only become more aggressive since the first hint of it in 2008.

The governor's office is now a house divided as Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp today says he hopes the governor's decision doesn't interfere with their relationship, but he won't give the gov his support.

"I hope the Governor's decision today to run for the United States Senate as an independent candidate, rather than as a Republican, will have no impact on our personal relationship,'' he says in a statement. "However, as a lifelong Republican I am committed to supporting my party and the principles I have fought for my entire life. I will support the Republican nominee for United States Senate.''

And Governors Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Rick Perry of Texas, Bob Riley of Arkansas, and Haley Barbour of Mississippi.

The White House says he called the governors of the Gulf Coast states "to discuss the BP oil spill situation and assure the Governors that the administration will continue to use every single available resource at our disposal in the response efforts. The President described the range of Federal actions that are underway to respond to the spill and stressed the importance of maintaining close coordination with the Governors as this event continues to evolve. All of the governors appreciated the call and the actions being taken by the federal government."

Kendrick Meek says Crist's announcement doesn't shake up his campaign -- but said he's now "running against two Republicans in the general election."

Asked on a conference call with reporters whether he's expecting the national party -- which has several Senate seats to defend across the country -- will be putting any money into Florida, Meek suggested it was a question for the national committees to answer.

"While Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio have been busy bickering over luxury spending by the Republican Party of Florida and debating who is more conservative, Kendrick has been working to find solutions to the challenges confronting Florida’s middle class families," Kaine said, calling Crist's decision "the latest example of the corrosive civil war waging among Republicans."

Meek got some major cable TV time, appearing on CNN and MSNBC to plug his candidacy -- and defend his campaign against Chris Matthew's assessment he's had a "weak performance.

"Charlie Crist and Marco Rubio are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on TV in Florida, we haven't even run a 15-second ad yet," Meek said, adding that by election day, "We'll be where we need to be."

Gov. Charlie Crist made his long-awaited announcement Thursday that he will run for the U.S. Senate as an independent.

The reaction:

RPOF Chairman Sen. John Thrasher said, "For years Charlie Crist has claimed to be 'for the people,' but today's announcement was not about 'the people' or about policy, it was about Charlie Crist and his political aspirations."

House Majority Leader Adam Hasner said, "Charlie Crist left the Republican Party a long time ago- today he finally had the courage to make it official."

Former Gov. Jeb Bush said, "I am not surprised. This decision is not about policy or principles. It is about what he believes is in his political self-interest."

RNC chief Michael Steele on Crist's decision to leave the GOP and run as an independent: "Now more than ever, Floridians need leadership in Washington. With unemployment at an all-time high in Florida, they want a Senator to exercise strong fiscal discipline and be a catalyst for job creation. Without question, the Republican nominee this fall will offer those qualities.

"Governor Charlie Crist, however, will not be that candidate. Over the years, he has served this party well, which is why his decision to run as an Independent is so disappointing. To be sure, he left this party. This party did not leave him. His decision will in no way impede our path to victory in Florida. The challenges that Floridians face are many. And this November, we will have a nominee in place that will listen to them and put forth solutions to get Floridians back to work."

The fan is in place next to the podium, the army of reporters and cameras is here, and a crowd of about 200 supporters are gathered in downtown St. Petersburg waiting for Gov. Charlie Crist. His hugely anticipated but likely anticlimactic announcement that he's running for the U.S. Senate as an independent has been pushed back a half hour to 5:30 p.m. So the crowd waits and listens to a classic campaign soundtrack that includes U2's "Beautiful Day'' and Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA.''

Longtime Democratic supporter Fred Edwards, pictured left, is holding new campaign signs that tellingly omit the word "Republican.'' "He didn't leave the Republican party. They left him,'' Edwards said. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think he could pull this off.''

The crowd includes a number of teachers holding placards commending the governor for his veto of a controversial bill that would have largely taken away their tenure.

From the campaign of Rudy Moise, one of several Democrats in the running for Kendrick Meek's seat, comes this rather unusual fundraising request, a plea from his wife, Mirjam.

"Today, April 29th, Rudy and I will celebrate 10 years of marriage. I would love to have the day to spend with him. Click here to give $10 to help me rescue Rudy from call time so we can spend our 10th Wedding Anniversary together.

"Since he’s been out on the campaign trail, we’ve missed a lot of family dinners and romantic walks in the park; however, we know that’s a small price to pay for Rudy to have the chance to make a difference in Congress for the people of our community and country.

"Still, spending today together would be wonderful…you can help me make it happen.

"Click here to give $10 to help me rescue Rudy from call time so we can spend our 10th Wedding Anniversary together. Thanks for your help, Mirjam Moise. P.S. If you can't give $10 but want to volunteer 10 hours between now and the election, click here to sign up to volunteer."

Two other Democrats may have jumped into the Senate race -- and a third is making noise -- but Democrats from Tallahassee to DC are rallying around Kendrick Meek, saying Gov. Charlie Crist's expected indie run is good news for the Miami Democrat.

Meek's campaign is sending out releases by the hour: Florida congressional Democrats -- with statements of support from Reps. Corrine Brown, Alcee L. Hastings, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Kathy Castor, Ron Klein and Ted Deutch; along with state Sen. Nan Rich and state Rep. Ron Saunders; as well as Jose Fernandez, president of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida and SEIU Florida.